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Issue 47 October 2015
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived about 500
BC, is often attributed to saying “The only thing that is
constant is change.” Disraeli, a British statesman in the
1880s, said “The secret of success is constancy to
purpose.” While having the honor of serving on the North
Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, it has been
my experience to see both constancy and change.
The evolution of the practice of Physical Therapy
has driven much of the change. Over the years, NCBPTE
has fielded a wide variety of inquiries about what is
and what isn't allowed under the North Carolina Practice
Act. Advancements in patient care and
the changing healthcare environment
bring new opportunities for Physical
Therapy to make a difference in
people's lives. Skills that were at one
time outside the scope of practice can
become standard practice over a period
of time when education, training and
implementation is done in a safe and
effective manner. Often, the NCBPTE
can use Position Statements to clarify
practice issues. The development of
Position Statements has been the
result of addressing various common
scenarios that have risen over time –
these tools are great resources readily
available and accessible on the
webpage. Importantly, these Position
Statements are reviewed regularly to
ensure that the information remains
true to current practice. A new Position
Statement is in the early stages of
consideration as a Task Force assesses
the applicability of telehealth in the
practice of Physical Therapy.
Speaking of the webpage, this too has been an
evolving part of the NCBPTE. As technology has changed,
we are now able to provide updates as soon as they
happen and make that information easily available to
licensees and the public. Moving to online licensure
renewal has increased the speed and accuracy of the
process. Email inquiries to the Board result in responses
most often the same day, offering immediate
acknowledgement and prompt follow-up. The Board has
invested in technology, and the necessary support, to
News from
North Carolina Board of
Physical Therapy Examiners
by Leslie Kesler, PT, MHA, Chair
Constancy and Change in the NCBPTE
(continued on page 4 )
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners – 2015
Front, Left to Right: Leslie P. Kesler, Chair; David C. Reed, Sec-Treas;
Left to Right: John M. Silverstein, Attorney; Gloria H. Lewis; Christopher R. Dunn; Michael
Fajgenbaum, MD; Angela B. Hunter; Ben F. Massey, Jr., ED; JoDell F. King; Eric J. Smith
Professional licensing boards generally operate in
relative obscurity, except for those individuals required
to be licensed before providing professional services to
the public, and to consumers of those services. An
exception to this rule occurred earlier this year when the
United States Supreme Court issued an opinion involving
the North Carolina Dental Board (“Dental Board”), and
in the process, generated commentaries ranging from
doom and gloom predictions of the end of professional
regulation as we know it to assurances the scope of the
opinion will be limited to the specific facts of the case.
As is usually the case, the truth probably lies somewhere
in between, but in my personal view, the decision will
result in changes, but not wholesale changes, in our
regime for the regulation of professions in North Carolina.
The issues addressed by the Supreme Court arose out
of the provision of teeth whitening services in North
Carolina. NCGS §90-29(b)(2) includes the removal of
stains from teeth as a component of the practice of
dentistry, which must be provided by a dentist licensed in
North Carolina in accordance with the requirements of the
Dental Practice Act. The Dental Board learned that there
were instances of operators of kiosks in shopping malls,
who were not licensed dentists, providing teeth whitening
services to the public. Consistent with its enforcement
responsibilities, the Dental Board, some of whose
members’ practices included removing stains from teeth,
wrote letters to these operators demanding that they
cease and desist from offering such services, or face
further action by the Board. Letters were also written to
owners of shopping malls in which teeth whitening
services were being offered demanding that those
services be stopped immediately.
The Dental Board’s actions drew the attention of the
Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), which filed a complaint
alleging that the conduct of the Dental Board violated
federal antitrust laws. The Dental Board countered that it
was an agency of the State of North Carolina, and as such,
it was exempt from the application of the federal antitrust
laws. It is not the purpose of this article to fully analyze the
legal issues involved; suffice it to say those issues were
thoroughly researched , briefed and argued before the FTC,
the Fourth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme
Court.
The holding in the case was that in order to enjoy
immunity from federal antitrust laws, state boards that are
controlled by active market participants (licensees
engaged in practice in the profession being regulated)
must be following a clearly articulated state policy and be
actively supervised by the state, and that a general grant
of authority by a state legislature does not satisfy these
requirements. There are two ways to remove the active
market participant disqualification: (1) limit licensee
membership on regulatory boards to a minority of the
board, or (2) create a state agency that would regulate all
occupations. In both cases, the expertise brought to the
regulation of a profession would be undermined, with any
consequences of those losses to be suffered by the public.
Additionally, studies of licensing bureaus in other states
have shown that large state agencies do not provide the
same level of service to the public as do independent
boards. Finally, most powers and responsibilities granted
to licensing boards do not involve conduct proscribed by
federal antitrust laws, so restructuring the entire scheme of
regulation to address active market participation by board
members is unwarranted.
Further, the articulated state policy and active state
supervision requirements can be satisfied if specific
conduct by unlicensed individuals is prohibited by statute,
by rule adopted following appropriate review by the Rules
Review Commission, or by obtaining a court order
enjoining such conduct. Regulatory boards will need to be
more circumspect when dealing with issues with economic
implications, such as unlawful practice, barriers to entry or
scope of practice. The use of cease and desist letters has
been marginalized. Board members will have to be
prepared to disqualify themselves from participating in
cases in which they have, or are perceived to have, an
economic interest. All board actions, particularly those that
may have anticompetitive implications, must be based on
objective standards, not personal economic interests.
There are other issues that may draw the attention of
the General Assembly, including the manner in which
board members are appointed, the composition of the
boards, ability of the public to file complaints,
disciplinary processes, incorporation of technological
advances, board consolidation and whether any boards
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
The Supreme Court and the NCBPTE
By John M. Silverstein, Attorney
2
(continued on page 4)
3
Issue 47, October 2015
The mission of the Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is to protect the public by
providing service and leadership that promote safe and
competent physical therapy practice. This national
organization comprising all state licensure Boards in the
US (Jurisdictions) provides support and resources to
jurisdictions to streamline the process for licensing
physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Like
APTA, FSBPT also monitors, researches and responds to
state and national healthcare issues affecting physical
therapy licensees.
Utilization of Telehealth in
Physical Therapy Practice
APTA BOD G03-06-09-19 Definitions and Guidelines
defines Telehealth as “. . . the use of electronic
communications to provide and deliver a host of health-related
information and health care services, including, but
not limited to physical therapy-related information and
services, over large and small distances. Telehealth
encompasses a variety of health care and health promotion
activities, including, but not limited to, education, advice,
reminders, interventions, and monitoring of interventions.”
A Free Regulatory Resource from FSBPT titled
“Telehealth in Physical Therapy: Policy Recommendations
for Appropriate Regulation” states, “Telehealth is not a
new treatment, or an expansion of scope of practice, but
a means to deliver physical therapy care to those in need.
The physical therapist is still responsible for the care of
the patient and for making determinations of the best
means to deliver that care. The standards of care and
practice, laws, and regulations currently required to be
followed for any in-person encounter must also be
followed for any encounter via telehealth.” In addition,
“Regulators should review existing statutes and rules to
determine if the language is sufficient to authorize
physical therapy to be delivered via telehealth
technology; then only drafting new language if required.”
In response to this important issue, NCBPTE has
established a Telehealth Task Force to make
recommendations regarding using this model for delivering
physical therapy services in NC. The Task Force will be
examining the scope of telehealth use in the Veterans
Administration and other states as it relates to physical
therapy, in other healthcare disciplines, and in light of
legislative approaches and court decisions.
Physical Therapy Licensure
Portability and Licensure Compacts
Do you need more than one state physical therapy
license to effectively practice or access your patients?
Do you need to see a patient in another state and do not
have a license to practice there? State or jurisdictional
boundaries and differences in licensure and practice
requirements have been identified as barriers to access to
health care. While some regulatory requirements are
necessary to protect the public, the goal of licensure
portability is overcoming unnecessary licensure barriers.
The FSBPT definition of licensure portability is “the ability
to obtain licensure or recognition with minimal regulatory
barriers to practice in multiple jurisdictions.” Making
changes to accommodate licensure portability positively
impacts public protection by:
• increasing patient access to qualified providers
• improving the continuity of care for patients who are
being treated by a therapist in another jurisdiction
• enhancing disciplinary data and improving
notification(s)
• improving information sharing between jurisdictions
Interstate compacts are contracts between two or more
states or jurisdictions creating an agreement on a variety of
issues, such as specific policy challenges, regulatory
matters and boundary settlements. States have used
interstate compacts to address a variety of issues, such as
drivers’ licenses which are valid beyond state boundaries.
The FSBPT has undertaken the process of developing an
interstate compact model for physical therapy and drafting
legislation that would be adopted by each state interested
in participating. The concept is that a compact would allow
licensees with an existing current state license to obtain a
privilege to practice for a specified period of time in all
jurisdictions participating in the compact simply by
submitting an application and fee to a central commission.
Compacts are not new. APTA passed a motion in 2014
supporting the concept of a licensure compact. Currently,
the National Association of EMS Officials (NASEMSO) and
FSBPT, Telehealth, and
Portability / Compacts
by Kathy O. Arney, PT, Deputy Director
(continued on page 4)
the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) are in the process of establishing licensure compacts. In 2000, the
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) launched their compact initiative for licensed nurses. Currently 24
states participate in the nurse compact. The NCBPTE will consider participation in the licensure compact if authorization
is granted by the General Assembly.
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
4
FSBPT, Telehealth, and Portability / Compacts continued from page 3)
ensure that operations are as efficient, effective, and
valued-added. An example of this was in 2014, when
NCBPTE moved away from paper processes to electronic
media for Board meetings, resulting in decreases in
manpower and supply costs.
A large portion of the webpage has resources devoted
to the issue of continuing competency in Physical
Therapy. Continuing competency was a major change in
process and culture when the requirement became
effective for North Carolina PTs/PTAs in January 2009. The
rules for continuing competency have been revised based
on input from licensees and are continually assessed for
potential future changes.
The North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Examiners is a successful entity because of its constancy
in purpose. Since being created in 1951 by the General
Assembly to “establish and maintain minimum standards
for the practice of physical therapy to protect the safety
and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina,” the
NCBPTE's purpose of public protection never wavered.
While the membership of the Board changes with
yearly appointments, one of the constants during my three
terms has been the dedication and commitment of the
professionals associated with NCBPTE. It is truly an honor
to work with Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist
Assistants from across our great state, along with our
public member and physician, all of whom are focused on
public protection and ethical service. Likewise, the
NCBPTE staff and associates, are highly skilled and
dedicated to ensuring that operations run smoothly to
support licensees and the public. Having had the
opportunity to interact with Boards of other disciplines
and Physical Therapy Boards from other states, I can
confirm that the members and staff associated with
NCBPTE are among the highest caliber.
Serving on the North Carolina Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners has been one of the greatest
highlights of my 30+ year career. It has been a time of
change and a time of constancy. As Sydney Harris, a 20th
century American journalist, said “Our dilemma is that
we hate change and love it at the same time; what we
really want is for things to remain the same but get
better.” I hope you agree with me that NCBPTE gets it
just right!
Constancy and Change (continued from page 1)
Supreme Court and the NCBPTE (continued from page 2)
can be terminated. Nevertheless, most North Carolina professional regulatory boards are acknowledged to be
performing in the best interests of the public. That is not to say no changes are warranted; however, it is hoped
there will be tweaks, not radical changes to a system that now works well.
NC Acupuncture Board Files Lawsuit
In September 2015, the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. The Physical Therapy Board has retained the law firm of Ellis & Winters LLP
to defend the Board in this case.
Continuing Competence requirements for license renewal
have been in effect since January 1, 2009. Licensees have
become familiar with the requirements as evidenced by the
high rate of online renewals and compliant continuing
competence audits. Answers to most commonly asked
questions are available on the Continuing Competence links
of the Board website and prior editions of Board newsletters
(on the website links – editions 2009–2014). Here are some
answers and references to the most commonly asked
questions in 2015:
Is this course approved or how do I know it's approved
to count for credit toward my requirement?
To confirm the approval status of a provider, contact the
provider directly to determine where a specific course has
been approved. Approval status is often listed on a
provider’s literature or website under “accreditation”
or approval, and sometimes is either hard to find or not
listed. Direct phone contact is best. Speak to the person
responsible for credentialing courses/activities and ask
where the course has been approved by a Physical Therapy
entity (See rule 21 NCAC 48G .0108 of the Continuing
Competence Board rules). Our website lists only courses
that have specifically been approved by NCBPTE and not
necessarily other providers. Activities that are approved
may be reported under categories requiring approval and
often count for more points than non-approved activities.
Link to the rule: http://www.ncptboard.org/documents/
continuingcompetence/combined%20and%20Approved%
20CC%20rules%20effective%204-1-2015%20with
%20highlight%20posted%203-31-15-2.pdf
What is my reporting period?
Reporting periods are assigned based on Board rules
21 NCAC 48G .0106 (a) and (b). Reporting periods are 25
months in length and always begin on January 1 and end on
January 31. Licensees receive a packet in the mail upon
initial licensure that includes a summary of continuing
competence requirements. The reporting period assigned
to a licensee is written on this summary document for
reference. In addition, licensees have 24/7 access to the
online continuing competence reporting tool on the Board
website which also lists assigned reporting periods. The
button to access the online
report is accessible from the
home page or Continuing
Competence menu.
After initial licensure, before the first reporting period
opens, licensees should refer to the message at the top of
the page or the document received with the licensure
packet to review their reporting period assignment.
When do I renew/when is cc due?
License renewal is required annually before January 31,
and continuing competence is due every 25 months also
before January 31. The chart below best summarizes the
differences.
Reference to this chart may be found on the Board
website: Continuing Competence link: Continuing
Competence and License renewals (http://www.ncpt
board.org/ContinuingCompetence/CCRenewal.shtml)
Reporting periods and Renewal period defined:
How do I document Clinical Practice/CI?
Documentation of Clinical Practice and Clinical
Education as a Clinical Instructor can be simplified by
utilizing the template forms and information available on
the Board website. Reference: Continuing Competence
link: Continuing Competence Forms: (http://www.
ncptboard.org/ContinuingCompetence/CCForms.shtml)
Clinical Practice Requires separate documentation for
each year during the reporting period. Documentation
should include total clinical hours completed during one
year. If years are combined, documentation will need to
be resubmitted. W-2's, paystubs or timesheets are not
acceptable forms of documentation for this category.
Clinical Instructor (CI) documentation requires two
parts, documentation from the affiliated educational
institution and a document listing hours the student and
CI spent together during the clinical affiliation. Specifics
are listed at the above link on the Board website.
What to send for audit?
The Board audits licensees each year from the reporting
period that has just closed. Letters are mailed to the
5
Issue 47, October 2015
Continuing Competence –
Commonly Asked Questions
by Kathy O. Arney, PT, Deputy Director
Continuing Competence
Repor ting
Category Frequency Time Period
License renewal Annual By January 31
Continuing Competence 25 months January 1 through
Reporting Periods January 31
30 points PT/20 points PTA (example: January 1, 2004
through January 31, 2006)
(continued on page 6)
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
6
address marked as “preferred” on file with the Board office.
The date the letter is received marks the beginning of the
30-day period allowed for a response to be provided. The
Board requires documentation of continuing competence
activities completed during the reporting period — either
30 (PT) or 20 (PTA) points be submitted by mail. Licensees
who do not respond, do not respond in a timely manner or
who do not complete the audit are reviewed by the
Investigative Committee (IC) of the Board for non-compliance
with Board rules.
Completing an audit requires that proof of 20 or 30
points be sent to the Board office. Keep it simple! Submit
only what is required!
Do NOT send:
• a copy of the audit request letter,
• a copy of the online report or
• significant amounts of documentation beyond 20/30
points, unless it is requested of you.
Do send:
• copies of Jurisprudence Certificates
• Proof of carry over points used to complete 20/30
points, if you do not have 30/20 points of docu-mentation
to submit from the reporting period itself.
Submission of documentation of carry over is from the
category where you claimed the carryover.
• submission of documentation of a few extra points, in case
the documentation does not match the online report or
count for as much as they had anticipated, is acceptable.
Know the rules, accurately report activities online and
save documentation that accurately represents activities.
Send exactly what the rules require to show for a specific
activity. Auditing documentation of continuing competence
is intended to be a compliance check and not a burdensome,
time consuming activity. For Reference se e, “Audits: How to
respond” on the homepage of the Board website,
www.ncptboard.org and the Continuing Competence link:
Required Documentation
More questions?
Contact Kathy Arney, PT, Deputy Director at
karney@ncptboard.org.
Continuing Competence (continued from page 5)
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Board Orders / Consent Orders / Other Board Actions Nov 2014 – Oct 2015
Kim, Thomas Seung, PT (Probation)
Location: Hendersonville, NC, Henderson County
License #: P9748
Conduct: After determining that the requirements of Board rule 21
NCAC 48G .0601 (b) were satisfied, the Board imposed the
same sanctions as the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Examiners.
Discipline: Indefinite probation with conditions.
(Effective date– Nov 19, 2014)
Sison, Ben-Hur Verano, PT (Probation)
Location: Wake Forest, NC, Wake County
License #: P13493
Conduct: Entering false documentation in patient records and billing
for treatment that was not performed.
Discipline: Probation for 2 years with conditions and reimburse the
Board for the cost of the investigation.
(Executed date– Dec 4, 2014)
Metzger, Raymond S., III (Suspension)
Location: Pinehurst, NC, Lee County
License #: P3854
Conduct: Engaging in inappropriate conduct with a student while
serving as her clinical instructor.
Discipline: Suspension for 1 year, the imposition of which would be
stayed so long as he complies with several conditions for
a period of three years. (Executed July 31, 2015)
Chambers, Dania W., PTA (Warning)
Location: Durham, NC, Durham County
License #: A5040
Conduct: Documenting and billing for treatment that was not provided.
Discipline: Warning with condition and reimburse the Board for the cost
of the investigation. (Effective date– Oct 20, 2015)
Disciplinary Actions related to Continuing Competence
Roddenberry, Joseph Ronald, PTA (Warning)
Location: Arden, NC, Buncombe County
License #: A4555
Conduct: Failing to respond in a timely manner to an audit request by
the Board for the January 1, 2012 through January 31, 2014
Continuing Competence Reporting Period.
Discipline: Warning and reimburse the Board for the cost of the
investigation. (Effective date– Jan 14, 2015)
Pressly, Ann P., PTA (Warning)
Location: Albemarle, NC, Stanly County
License #: A1148
Conduct: Failing to provide documentation that she completed
continuing competence activities for the January 1, 2011-
December 31, 2012 Reporting Period
Discipline: Warning and reimburse the Board for the cost of the
investigation. (Effective date– Oct 20, 2015)
Issue 47, October 2015
7
Q: Are PT licensees required to have
a “Privilege License”?
A:From time to time, the Board
receives inquiries regarding the
applicability of G.S. 105 – Taxation, § 105-
41, which relates to a fee for professionals
for a Privilege License. Any questions
regarding the Privilege License should be
directed to the appropriate local branch of
the Department of Revenue.
Q&
A
Q: Are PTAs, student PTs, and student PT
allowed to take verbal or telephone orders?
A: It would not be violation of the North Carolina
Physical Therapy Practice Act or Board rules for
a PTA or a PT or PTA student to take a verbal order or
a telephone order from a physician provided that the
physical therapist and the referring physician co-sign
the order.
Q: Is “maintenance physical therapy”
allowed by law?
A: The Board cannot speak for Medicare / Medicaid / Worker’s comp / private
insurance contractual agreements / etc. regarding their regulations. The Board
can only speak for the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act. Neither the
Practice Act, nor the Board rules specifically mention “Maintenance Therapy.” It would
not be a violation of the Practice Act for a PT (or a PTA who is appropriately supervised)
to provide maintenance therapy to patients provided that the patient & family, referring
physician, and payors are informed that the treatment is maintenance and that this is
documented in the chart. The supervision requirements would be no different than
other supervision requirements.
Q:Are physical therapists allowed to treat someone solely for weight loss purposes? The
patient’s only diagnosis is obesity and she has no pain.
A:As obesity is a medical diagnosis and condition, and proper exercise is an established
component for treating obesity, and also in most cases involving obesity there are also related
deconditioning and musculoskeletal conditions including joint problems, it would not be a violation
of the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act or Board rules for a physical therapist to treat a
patient with the diagnosis of obesity. A physical therapist may not provide nutritional counseling to
patients as a stand-alone service or part of their plan of care to help and aid them in improving their
health, well being and function; however, it would not be a violation of the Practice Act or Board’s
rules for a physical therapist to offer general dietary advice that can be routinely found in the public
domain. As stated in the Position Statement on the Board’s website, a physical therapist should
also not make specific recommendations regarding vitamins or supplements.
Q: May I accept a gift from a
patient / client?
A: It would not be a violation of
the Practice Act or Board’s rules
for a licensee to accept a gift (small
token of appreciation) provided that
the gift is of nominal value and was
not solicited by the licensee. Board
rules that could potentially apply: 21
NCAC 48G .0601 (a) (9) & (29).
Q: Can a PTA write a letter of
“medical necessity”?
A:The determination of medical
necessity requires an evaluation
and judgment, which should be
performed by a physical therapist.
Therefore, it would be beyond the
scope of practice for a PTA to write a
letter of medical necessity.
8
Issue 46, October 2014 North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
North Carolina
Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners
___________________________
Board Members
Leslie P. Kesler, PT
Chair
Wilmington, NC
David C. Reed, PT
Secretary-Treasurer
Matthews, NC
Christopher F. Dunn, PT
Morrisville, NC
Michael Fajgenbaum, MD
Raleigh, NC
Angela B. Hunter, PT
Rocky Mount, NC
JoDell F. King, PTA
Erwin, NC
Gloria Lewis, Public Member
Oxford, NC
Eric J. Smith, PTA
Sanford, NC
Staff
Ben F. Massey, Jr., PT
Executive Director
Kathy O. Arney, PT
Deputy Director
Cynthia D. Kiely
Director of Administration
Gregg Seipp
Director of
Information Technology
Marie Turner
Licensing Specialist
Angela Carter
Licensing Specialist
Qiana Robertson
Office Coordinator
Legal Counsel
John M. Silverstein, Esquire
___________________________
North Carolina
Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners
NC Board of PT Examiners
18West Colony Place, Suite 140
Durham, NC 27705
919-490-6393 / 800-800-8982
Fax: 919-490-5106
E-mail: benmassey@ncptboard.org
Web page: www. ncptboard.org
Calendar of Events
* Dates are tentative / please confirm by contacting the Board office (800-800-8982)
Oct 27, 2015 (Tues) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Oct 28, 2015 (Wed) Newsletter will be posted. A “notice” regarding Newsletter and reminder
regarding licensure renewal will be emailed to all licensees.
Oct 31, 2015 (Sat) Postcard Notices will be mailed reminding licensees to renew. Online
renewal will open.
Dec 9, 2015 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
Dec 16, 2015 (Wed) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Jan 28, 2016 (Thurs) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Jan 31, 2016 (Sun) Final Deadline for license renewal.
Feb 1, 2016 (Mon) Lapse of licenses not renewed.
Mar 23, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
June 15, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
Sept 14, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
21 NCAC 48F .0105 CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS REQUIRED
Each licensee must notify the Board within 30 days of a change of name or work or
home address. [History Note: Authority G.S. 90-270.27; Eff. August 1, 2002.]
Addresses can be changed by the licensee on the Licensure Board’s web page
(www.ncptboard.org) or by letter, fax (919-490-5106), or call the Board’s office @
919-490-6393 or 800-800-8982.
N.C. Licensure Statistics
(As of September 23, 2015)
Licensed Reside Work
PTs 7,755 6,543 6,266
PTAs 3,511 3,105 2,898
Summary of Fees
21 NCAC 48G .0112 Costs for Continuing Competence Activities
(Effective January 1, 2009)
(a) There is no cost for approval of continuing competence activities offered by approved sponsors.
(b) For a non-Approved provider seeking approval of a continuing competence activity offered to
licensees in this State, the cost is one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per activity.
(c) For a licensee seeking approval of a continuing competence activity that is not offered by an
approved sponsor, the cost is twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Renewal (PT & PTA) $ 100.00
Revival Fee and Renewal Fee 130.00
Application Fee PT & PTA 150.00
Exam Cost (PT & PTA)* (01-01-15) 400.00
Exam Retake Fee 60.00
Verification/Transfer Fee 30.00
License Card 10.00
List of Licensees (PT or PTA) 60.00
Certificate Replacement 30.00
* Plus PT or PTA Application Fee

Issue 47 October 2015
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived about 500
BC, is often attributed to saying “The only thing that is
constant is change.” Disraeli, a British statesman in the
1880s, said “The secret of success is constancy to
purpose.” While having the honor of serving on the North
Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, it has been
my experience to see both constancy and change.
The evolution of the practice of Physical Therapy
has driven much of the change. Over the years, NCBPTE
has fielded a wide variety of inquiries about what is
and what isn't allowed under the North Carolina Practice
Act. Advancements in patient care and
the changing healthcare environment
bring new opportunities for Physical
Therapy to make a difference in
people's lives. Skills that were at one
time outside the scope of practice can
become standard practice over a period
of time when education, training and
implementation is done in a safe and
effective manner. Often, the NCBPTE
can use Position Statements to clarify
practice issues. The development of
Position Statements has been the
result of addressing various common
scenarios that have risen over time –
these tools are great resources readily
available and accessible on the
webpage. Importantly, these Position
Statements are reviewed regularly to
ensure that the information remains
true to current practice. A new Position
Statement is in the early stages of
consideration as a Task Force assesses
the applicability of telehealth in the
practice of Physical Therapy.
Speaking of the webpage, this too has been an
evolving part of the NCBPTE. As technology has changed,
we are now able to provide updates as soon as they
happen and make that information easily available to
licensees and the public. Moving to online licensure
renewal has increased the speed and accuracy of the
process. Email inquiries to the Board result in responses
most often the same day, offering immediate
acknowledgement and prompt follow-up. The Board has
invested in technology, and the necessary support, to
News from
North Carolina Board of
Physical Therapy Examiners
by Leslie Kesler, PT, MHA, Chair
Constancy and Change in the NCBPTE
(continued on page 4 )
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners – 2015
Front, Left to Right: Leslie P. Kesler, Chair; David C. Reed, Sec-Treas;
Left to Right: John M. Silverstein, Attorney; Gloria H. Lewis; Christopher R. Dunn; Michael
Fajgenbaum, MD; Angela B. Hunter; Ben F. Massey, Jr., ED; JoDell F. King; Eric J. Smith
Professional licensing boards generally operate in
relative obscurity, except for those individuals required
to be licensed before providing professional services to
the public, and to consumers of those services. An
exception to this rule occurred earlier this year when the
United States Supreme Court issued an opinion involving
the North Carolina Dental Board (“Dental Board”), and
in the process, generated commentaries ranging from
doom and gloom predictions of the end of professional
regulation as we know it to assurances the scope of the
opinion will be limited to the specific facts of the case.
As is usually the case, the truth probably lies somewhere
in between, but in my personal view, the decision will
result in changes, but not wholesale changes, in our
regime for the regulation of professions in North Carolina.
The issues addressed by the Supreme Court arose out
of the provision of teeth whitening services in North
Carolina. NCGS §90-29(b)(2) includes the removal of
stains from teeth as a component of the practice of
dentistry, which must be provided by a dentist licensed in
North Carolina in accordance with the requirements of the
Dental Practice Act. The Dental Board learned that there
were instances of operators of kiosks in shopping malls,
who were not licensed dentists, providing teeth whitening
services to the public. Consistent with its enforcement
responsibilities, the Dental Board, some of whose
members’ practices included removing stains from teeth,
wrote letters to these operators demanding that they
cease and desist from offering such services, or face
further action by the Board. Letters were also written to
owners of shopping malls in which teeth whitening
services were being offered demanding that those
services be stopped immediately.
The Dental Board’s actions drew the attention of the
Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), which filed a complaint
alleging that the conduct of the Dental Board violated
federal antitrust laws. The Dental Board countered that it
was an agency of the State of North Carolina, and as such,
it was exempt from the application of the federal antitrust
laws. It is not the purpose of this article to fully analyze the
legal issues involved; suffice it to say those issues were
thoroughly researched , briefed and argued before the FTC,
the Fourth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme
Court.
The holding in the case was that in order to enjoy
immunity from federal antitrust laws, state boards that are
controlled by active market participants (licensees
engaged in practice in the profession being regulated)
must be following a clearly articulated state policy and be
actively supervised by the state, and that a general grant
of authority by a state legislature does not satisfy these
requirements. There are two ways to remove the active
market participant disqualification: (1) limit licensee
membership on regulatory boards to a minority of the
board, or (2) create a state agency that would regulate all
occupations. In both cases, the expertise brought to the
regulation of a profession would be undermined, with any
consequences of those losses to be suffered by the public.
Additionally, studies of licensing bureaus in other states
have shown that large state agencies do not provide the
same level of service to the public as do independent
boards. Finally, most powers and responsibilities granted
to licensing boards do not involve conduct proscribed by
federal antitrust laws, so restructuring the entire scheme of
regulation to address active market participation by board
members is unwarranted.
Further, the articulated state policy and active state
supervision requirements can be satisfied if specific
conduct by unlicensed individuals is prohibited by statute,
by rule adopted following appropriate review by the Rules
Review Commission, or by obtaining a court order
enjoining such conduct. Regulatory boards will need to be
more circumspect when dealing with issues with economic
implications, such as unlawful practice, barriers to entry or
scope of practice. The use of cease and desist letters has
been marginalized. Board members will have to be
prepared to disqualify themselves from participating in
cases in which they have, or are perceived to have, an
economic interest. All board actions, particularly those that
may have anticompetitive implications, must be based on
objective standards, not personal economic interests.
There are other issues that may draw the attention of
the General Assembly, including the manner in which
board members are appointed, the composition of the
boards, ability of the public to file complaints,
disciplinary processes, incorporation of technological
advances, board consolidation and whether any boards
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
The Supreme Court and the NCBPTE
By John M. Silverstein, Attorney
2
(continued on page 4)
3
Issue 47, October 2015
The mission of the Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is to protect the public by
providing service and leadership that promote safe and
competent physical therapy practice. This national
organization comprising all state licensure Boards in the
US (Jurisdictions) provides support and resources to
jurisdictions to streamline the process for licensing
physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Like
APTA, FSBPT also monitors, researches and responds to
state and national healthcare issues affecting physical
therapy licensees.
Utilization of Telehealth in
Physical Therapy Practice
APTA BOD G03-06-09-19 Definitions and Guidelines
defines Telehealth as “. . . the use of electronic
communications to provide and deliver a host of health-related
information and health care services, including, but
not limited to physical therapy-related information and
services, over large and small distances. Telehealth
encompasses a variety of health care and health promotion
activities, including, but not limited to, education, advice,
reminders, interventions, and monitoring of interventions.”
A Free Regulatory Resource from FSBPT titled
“Telehealth in Physical Therapy: Policy Recommendations
for Appropriate Regulation” states, “Telehealth is not a
new treatment, or an expansion of scope of practice, but
a means to deliver physical therapy care to those in need.
The physical therapist is still responsible for the care of
the patient and for making determinations of the best
means to deliver that care. The standards of care and
practice, laws, and regulations currently required to be
followed for any in-person encounter must also be
followed for any encounter via telehealth.” In addition,
“Regulators should review existing statutes and rules to
determine if the language is sufficient to authorize
physical therapy to be delivered via telehealth
technology; then only drafting new language if required.”
In response to this important issue, NCBPTE has
established a Telehealth Task Force to make
recommendations regarding using this model for delivering
physical therapy services in NC. The Task Force will be
examining the scope of telehealth use in the Veterans
Administration and other states as it relates to physical
therapy, in other healthcare disciplines, and in light of
legislative approaches and court decisions.
Physical Therapy Licensure
Portability and Licensure Compacts
Do you need more than one state physical therapy
license to effectively practice or access your patients?
Do you need to see a patient in another state and do not
have a license to practice there? State or jurisdictional
boundaries and differences in licensure and practice
requirements have been identified as barriers to access to
health care. While some regulatory requirements are
necessary to protect the public, the goal of licensure
portability is overcoming unnecessary licensure barriers.
The FSBPT definition of licensure portability is “the ability
to obtain licensure or recognition with minimal regulatory
barriers to practice in multiple jurisdictions.” Making
changes to accommodate licensure portability positively
impacts public protection by:
• increasing patient access to qualified providers
• improving the continuity of care for patients who are
being treated by a therapist in another jurisdiction
• enhancing disciplinary data and improving
notification(s)
• improving information sharing between jurisdictions
Interstate compacts are contracts between two or more
states or jurisdictions creating an agreement on a variety of
issues, such as specific policy challenges, regulatory
matters and boundary settlements. States have used
interstate compacts to address a variety of issues, such as
drivers’ licenses which are valid beyond state boundaries.
The FSBPT has undertaken the process of developing an
interstate compact model for physical therapy and drafting
legislation that would be adopted by each state interested
in participating. The concept is that a compact would allow
licensees with an existing current state license to obtain a
privilege to practice for a specified period of time in all
jurisdictions participating in the compact simply by
submitting an application and fee to a central commission.
Compacts are not new. APTA passed a motion in 2014
supporting the concept of a licensure compact. Currently,
the National Association of EMS Officials (NASEMSO) and
FSBPT, Telehealth, and
Portability / Compacts
by Kathy O. Arney, PT, Deputy Director
(continued on page 4)
the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) are in the process of establishing licensure compacts. In 2000, the
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) launched their compact initiative for licensed nurses. Currently 24
states participate in the nurse compact. The NCBPTE will consider participation in the licensure compact if authorization
is granted by the General Assembly.
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
4
FSBPT, Telehealth, and Portability / Compacts continued from page 3)
ensure that operations are as efficient, effective, and
valued-added. An example of this was in 2014, when
NCBPTE moved away from paper processes to electronic
media for Board meetings, resulting in decreases in
manpower and supply costs.
A large portion of the webpage has resources devoted
to the issue of continuing competency in Physical
Therapy. Continuing competency was a major change in
process and culture when the requirement became
effective for North Carolina PTs/PTAs in January 2009. The
rules for continuing competency have been revised based
on input from licensees and are continually assessed for
potential future changes.
The North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Examiners is a successful entity because of its constancy
in purpose. Since being created in 1951 by the General
Assembly to “establish and maintain minimum standards
for the practice of physical therapy to protect the safety
and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina,” the
NCBPTE's purpose of public protection never wavered.
While the membership of the Board changes with
yearly appointments, one of the constants during my three
terms has been the dedication and commitment of the
professionals associated with NCBPTE. It is truly an honor
to work with Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist
Assistants from across our great state, along with our
public member and physician, all of whom are focused on
public protection and ethical service. Likewise, the
NCBPTE staff and associates, are highly skilled and
dedicated to ensuring that operations run smoothly to
support licensees and the public. Having had the
opportunity to interact with Boards of other disciplines
and Physical Therapy Boards from other states, I can
confirm that the members and staff associated with
NCBPTE are among the highest caliber.
Serving on the North Carolina Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners has been one of the greatest
highlights of my 30+ year career. It has been a time of
change and a time of constancy. As Sydney Harris, a 20th
century American journalist, said “Our dilemma is that
we hate change and love it at the same time; what we
really want is for things to remain the same but get
better.” I hope you agree with me that NCBPTE gets it
just right!
Constancy and Change (continued from page 1)
Supreme Court and the NCBPTE (continued from page 2)
can be terminated. Nevertheless, most North Carolina professional regulatory boards are acknowledged to be
performing in the best interests of the public. That is not to say no changes are warranted; however, it is hoped
there will be tweaks, not radical changes to a system that now works well.
NC Acupuncture Board Files Lawsuit
In September 2015, the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. The Physical Therapy Board has retained the law firm of Ellis & Winters LLP
to defend the Board in this case.
Continuing Competence requirements for license renewal
have been in effect since January 1, 2009. Licensees have
become familiar with the requirements as evidenced by the
high rate of online renewals and compliant continuing
competence audits. Answers to most commonly asked
questions are available on the Continuing Competence links
of the Board website and prior editions of Board newsletters
(on the website links – editions 2009–2014). Here are some
answers and references to the most commonly asked
questions in 2015:
Is this course approved or how do I know it's approved
to count for credit toward my requirement?
To confirm the approval status of a provider, contact the
provider directly to determine where a specific course has
been approved. Approval status is often listed on a
provider’s literature or website under “accreditation”
or approval, and sometimes is either hard to find or not
listed. Direct phone contact is best. Speak to the person
responsible for credentialing courses/activities and ask
where the course has been approved by a Physical Therapy
entity (See rule 21 NCAC 48G .0108 of the Continuing
Competence Board rules). Our website lists only courses
that have specifically been approved by NCBPTE and not
necessarily other providers. Activities that are approved
may be reported under categories requiring approval and
often count for more points than non-approved activities.
Link to the rule: http://www.ncptboard.org/documents/
continuingcompetence/combined%20and%20Approved%
20CC%20rules%20effective%204-1-2015%20with
%20highlight%20posted%203-31-15-2.pdf
What is my reporting period?
Reporting periods are assigned based on Board rules
21 NCAC 48G .0106 (a) and (b). Reporting periods are 25
months in length and always begin on January 1 and end on
January 31. Licensees receive a packet in the mail upon
initial licensure that includes a summary of continuing
competence requirements. The reporting period assigned
to a licensee is written on this summary document for
reference. In addition, licensees have 24/7 access to the
online continuing competence reporting tool on the Board
website which also lists assigned reporting periods. The
button to access the online
report is accessible from the
home page or Continuing
Competence menu.
After initial licensure, before the first reporting period
opens, licensees should refer to the message at the top of
the page or the document received with the licensure
packet to review their reporting period assignment.
When do I renew/when is cc due?
License renewal is required annually before January 31,
and continuing competence is due every 25 months also
before January 31. The chart below best summarizes the
differences.
Reference to this chart may be found on the Board
website: Continuing Competence link: Continuing
Competence and License renewals (http://www.ncpt
board.org/ContinuingCompetence/CCRenewal.shtml)
Reporting periods and Renewal period defined:
How do I document Clinical Practice/CI?
Documentation of Clinical Practice and Clinical
Education as a Clinical Instructor can be simplified by
utilizing the template forms and information available on
the Board website. Reference: Continuing Competence
link: Continuing Competence Forms: (http://www.
ncptboard.org/ContinuingCompetence/CCForms.shtml)
Clinical Practice Requires separate documentation for
each year during the reporting period. Documentation
should include total clinical hours completed during one
year. If years are combined, documentation will need to
be resubmitted. W-2's, paystubs or timesheets are not
acceptable forms of documentation for this category.
Clinical Instructor (CI) documentation requires two
parts, documentation from the affiliated educational
institution and a document listing hours the student and
CI spent together during the clinical affiliation. Specifics
are listed at the above link on the Board website.
What to send for audit?
The Board audits licensees each year from the reporting
period that has just closed. Letters are mailed to the
5
Issue 47, October 2015
Continuing Competence –
Commonly Asked Questions
by Kathy O. Arney, PT, Deputy Director
Continuing Competence
Repor ting
Category Frequency Time Period
License renewal Annual By January 31
Continuing Competence 25 months January 1 through
Reporting Periods January 31
30 points PT/20 points PTA (example: January 1, 2004
through January 31, 2006)
(continued on page 6)
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
6
address marked as “preferred” on file with the Board office.
The date the letter is received marks the beginning of the
30-day period allowed for a response to be provided. The
Board requires documentation of continuing competence
activities completed during the reporting period — either
30 (PT) or 20 (PTA) points be submitted by mail. Licensees
who do not respond, do not respond in a timely manner or
who do not complete the audit are reviewed by the
Investigative Committee (IC) of the Board for non-compliance
with Board rules.
Completing an audit requires that proof of 20 or 30
points be sent to the Board office. Keep it simple! Submit
only what is required!
Do NOT send:
• a copy of the audit request letter,
• a copy of the online report or
• significant amounts of documentation beyond 20/30
points, unless it is requested of you.
Do send:
• copies of Jurisprudence Certificates
• Proof of carry over points used to complete 20/30
points, if you do not have 30/20 points of docu-mentation
to submit from the reporting period itself.
Submission of documentation of carry over is from the
category where you claimed the carryover.
• submission of documentation of a few extra points, in case
the documentation does not match the online report or
count for as much as they had anticipated, is acceptable.
Know the rules, accurately report activities online and
save documentation that accurately represents activities.
Send exactly what the rules require to show for a specific
activity. Auditing documentation of continuing competence
is intended to be a compliance check and not a burdensome,
time consuming activity. For Reference se e, “Audits: How to
respond” on the homepage of the Board website,
www.ncptboard.org and the Continuing Competence link:
Required Documentation
More questions?
Contact Kathy Arney, PT, Deputy Director at
karney@ncptboard.org.
Continuing Competence (continued from page 5)
North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Board Orders / Consent Orders / Other Board Actions Nov 2014 – Oct 2015
Kim, Thomas Seung, PT (Probation)
Location: Hendersonville, NC, Henderson County
License #: P9748
Conduct: After determining that the requirements of Board rule 21
NCAC 48G .0601 (b) were satisfied, the Board imposed the
same sanctions as the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Examiners.
Discipline: Indefinite probation with conditions.
(Effective date– Nov 19, 2014)
Sison, Ben-Hur Verano, PT (Probation)
Location: Wake Forest, NC, Wake County
License #: P13493
Conduct: Entering false documentation in patient records and billing
for treatment that was not performed.
Discipline: Probation for 2 years with conditions and reimburse the
Board for the cost of the investigation.
(Executed date– Dec 4, 2014)
Metzger, Raymond S., III (Suspension)
Location: Pinehurst, NC, Lee County
License #: P3854
Conduct: Engaging in inappropriate conduct with a student while
serving as her clinical instructor.
Discipline: Suspension for 1 year, the imposition of which would be
stayed so long as he complies with several conditions for
a period of three years. (Executed July 31, 2015)
Chambers, Dania W., PTA (Warning)
Location: Durham, NC, Durham County
License #: A5040
Conduct: Documenting and billing for treatment that was not provided.
Discipline: Warning with condition and reimburse the Board for the cost
of the investigation. (Effective date– Oct 20, 2015)
Disciplinary Actions related to Continuing Competence
Roddenberry, Joseph Ronald, PTA (Warning)
Location: Arden, NC, Buncombe County
License #: A4555
Conduct: Failing to respond in a timely manner to an audit request by
the Board for the January 1, 2012 through January 31, 2014
Continuing Competence Reporting Period.
Discipline: Warning and reimburse the Board for the cost of the
investigation. (Effective date– Jan 14, 2015)
Pressly, Ann P., PTA (Warning)
Location: Albemarle, NC, Stanly County
License #: A1148
Conduct: Failing to provide documentation that she completed
continuing competence activities for the January 1, 2011-
December 31, 2012 Reporting Period
Discipline: Warning and reimburse the Board for the cost of the
investigation. (Effective date– Oct 20, 2015)
Issue 47, October 2015
7
Q: Are PT licensees required to have
a “Privilege License”?
A:From time to time, the Board
receives inquiries regarding the
applicability of G.S. 105 – Taxation, § 105-
41, which relates to a fee for professionals
for a Privilege License. Any questions
regarding the Privilege License should be
directed to the appropriate local branch of
the Department of Revenue.
Q&
A
Q: Are PTAs, student PTs, and student PT
allowed to take verbal or telephone orders?
A: It would not be violation of the North Carolina
Physical Therapy Practice Act or Board rules for
a PTA or a PT or PTA student to take a verbal order or
a telephone order from a physician provided that the
physical therapist and the referring physician co-sign
the order.
Q: Is “maintenance physical therapy”
allowed by law?
A: The Board cannot speak for Medicare / Medicaid / Worker’s comp / private
insurance contractual agreements / etc. regarding their regulations. The Board
can only speak for the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act. Neither the
Practice Act, nor the Board rules specifically mention “Maintenance Therapy.” It would
not be a violation of the Practice Act for a PT (or a PTA who is appropriately supervised)
to provide maintenance therapy to patients provided that the patient & family, referring
physician, and payors are informed that the treatment is maintenance and that this is
documented in the chart. The supervision requirements would be no different than
other supervision requirements.
Q:Are physical therapists allowed to treat someone solely for weight loss purposes? The
patient’s only diagnosis is obesity and she has no pain.
A:As obesity is a medical diagnosis and condition, and proper exercise is an established
component for treating obesity, and also in most cases involving obesity there are also related
deconditioning and musculoskeletal conditions including joint problems, it would not be a violation
of the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act or Board rules for a physical therapist to treat a
patient with the diagnosis of obesity. A physical therapist may not provide nutritional counseling to
patients as a stand-alone service or part of their plan of care to help and aid them in improving their
health, well being and function; however, it would not be a violation of the Practice Act or Board’s
rules for a physical therapist to offer general dietary advice that can be routinely found in the public
domain. As stated in the Position Statement on the Board’s website, a physical therapist should
also not make specific recommendations regarding vitamins or supplements.
Q: May I accept a gift from a
patient / client?
A: It would not be a violation of
the Practice Act or Board’s rules
for a licensee to accept a gift (small
token of appreciation) provided that
the gift is of nominal value and was
not solicited by the licensee. Board
rules that could potentially apply: 21
NCAC 48G .0601 (a) (9) & (29).
Q: Can a PTA write a letter of
“medical necessity”?
A:The determination of medical
necessity requires an evaluation
and judgment, which should be
performed by a physical therapist.
Therefore, it would be beyond the
scope of practice for a PTA to write a
letter of medical necessity.
8
Issue 46, October 2014 North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
North Carolina
Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners
___________________________
Board Members
Leslie P. Kesler, PT
Chair
Wilmington, NC
David C. Reed, PT
Secretary-Treasurer
Matthews, NC
Christopher F. Dunn, PT
Morrisville, NC
Michael Fajgenbaum, MD
Raleigh, NC
Angela B. Hunter, PT
Rocky Mount, NC
JoDell F. King, PTA
Erwin, NC
Gloria Lewis, Public Member
Oxford, NC
Eric J. Smith, PTA
Sanford, NC
Staff
Ben F. Massey, Jr., PT
Executive Director
Kathy O. Arney, PT
Deputy Director
Cynthia D. Kiely
Director of Administration
Gregg Seipp
Director of
Information Technology
Marie Turner
Licensing Specialist
Angela Carter
Licensing Specialist
Qiana Robertson
Office Coordinator
Legal Counsel
John M. Silverstein, Esquire
___________________________
North Carolina
Board of Physical
Therapy Examiners
NC Board of PT Examiners
18West Colony Place, Suite 140
Durham, NC 27705
919-490-6393 / 800-800-8982
Fax: 919-490-5106
E-mail: benmassey@ncptboard.org
Web page: www. ncptboard.org
Calendar of Events
* Dates are tentative / please confirm by contacting the Board office (800-800-8982)
Oct 27, 2015 (Tues) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Oct 28, 2015 (Wed) Newsletter will be posted. A “notice” regarding Newsletter and reminder
regarding licensure renewal will be emailed to all licensees.
Oct 31, 2015 (Sat) Postcard Notices will be mailed reminding licensees to renew. Online
renewal will open.
Dec 9, 2015 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
Dec 16, 2015 (Wed) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Jan 28, 2016 (Thurs) Investigative Committee Meeting *- (08:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Satisky and
Silverstein Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, www.satiskysilverstein.com ).
Jan 31, 2016 (Sun) Final Deadline for license renewal.
Feb 1, 2016 (Mon) Lapse of licenses not renewed.
Mar 23, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
June 15, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
Sept 14, 2016 (Wed) Board Meeting *- (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Siena Hotel, 1505 E. Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.sienahotel.com/).
21 NCAC 48F .0105 CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS REQUIRED
Each licensee must notify the Board within 30 days of a change of name or work or
home address. [History Note: Authority G.S. 90-270.27; Eff. August 1, 2002.]
Addresses can be changed by the licensee on the Licensure Board’s web page
(www.ncptboard.org) or by letter, fax (919-490-5106), or call the Board’s office @
919-490-6393 or 800-800-8982.
N.C. Licensure Statistics
(As of September 23, 2015)
Licensed Reside Work
PTs 7,755 6,543 6,266
PTAs 3,511 3,105 2,898
Summary of Fees
21 NCAC 48G .0112 Costs for Continuing Competence Activities
(Effective January 1, 2009)
(a) There is no cost for approval of continuing competence activities offered by approved sponsors.
(b) For a non-Approved provider seeking approval of a continuing competence activity offered to
licensees in this State, the cost is one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per activity.
(c) For a licensee seeking approval of a continuing competence activity that is not offered by an
approved sponsor, the cost is twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Renewal (PT & PTA) $ 100.00
Revival Fee and Renewal Fee 130.00
Application Fee PT & PTA 150.00
Exam Cost (PT & PTA)* (01-01-15) 400.00
Exam Retake Fee 60.00
Verification/Transfer Fee 30.00
License Card 10.00
List of Licensees (PT or PTA) 60.00
Certificate Replacement 30.00
* Plus PT or PTA Application Fee